Back into the cycle: The founder of NGO A Greener Malaysia expressed concern over the prevalence of illegal ewaste factories.
KUALA LUMPUR: The effectiveness of the nation’s regulatory system is cause for concern for an environmental awareness NGO following recent raids on illegal ewaste processing factories.
A Greener Malaysia founder Dave Avran commended the police for their proactive approach in addressing these unlawful activities, noting the efforts of a new raiding team.
However, he expressed concern over the prevalence of illegal ewaste factories, suggesting that it highlights potential shortcomings in the regulatory system.
“The fact that many illegal ewaste factories have been operating raises concerns about the effectiveness of our regulatory system.
“This suggests that something might be amiss, potentially indicating a tolerance for these illegal activities,” Avran said in a statement yesterday.
He also emphasised the importance of supporting the establishment of legitimate ewaste recycling facilities.
“Without a proper legal framework, toxic ewaste will inevitably seep into our air, soil and water, eventually contaminating our food chain.
“To prevent this, we must create a framework that allows green ewaste plants to operate effectively. This includes permitting the import of ewaste into centralised industrial parks that are adequately guarded and monitored by the relevant enforcement authorities,” he said.
Avran emphasised the economic benefits of legalising and monitoring proper ewaste processing, including job creation in the green technology sector, opportunities for technology transfer, as well as economic uplift from licensing and taxation – all of which contribute to the growth of a sustainable industry.
“With advancements in green technology, the remnants from processing ewaste can be turned into bricks and tiles for the construction industry, reducing depletion of our natural resources.
“Without a sufficient volume of ewaste to process, these green facilities cannot survive. It is imperative that we take action to ensure that legitimate ewaste processing is both viable and sustainable,” he said.
A businessman with a “Datuk” title was among 55 individuals detained in raids on seven illegal ewaste factories across four states.
The Datuk, along with nine other Malaysians and 45 foreigners aged between 30 and 50, were nabbed in raids conducted in Pahang, Johor, Selangor and Negri Sembilan on Aug 5.
More than RM40mil in assets were also seized by police in the operation.
According to IGP Secretariat’s Anti-Money Laundering division head Comm Datuk Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, the raids targeted factories in Pekan and Muadzam Shah in Pahang; Simpang Renggam in Johor; Rawang and Hulu Selangor in Selangor; as well as Rembau and Gemencheh in Negri Sembilan.
“We conducted the raids based on our intelligence gathering and information supplied by the public.
“In Pahang, the police received information on the illegal factories from Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah,” he said.
